China Travel Tips

Reflections on Travel in China

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

One of the most beautiful places on earth is Jiuzhaigou Valley in Sichuan province. I was there several years ago when there was only a well worn dirt road very narrow at some points which took two long days of travel. This valley was only discovered in the early 1970's and inhabited by Tibetans who hunted for a living. It was made a National Reserve Park in 1982 and listed by UNESCO in 1992. The valley is about fifty miles long and very pristine. Just a few years ago they added an air field with many flights in and out each day. The park is shaped like a "wish bone" with restaurant facilities in the middle. One goes up one side of the park by bus in the morning and the other branch in the afternoon by bus which makes many stops for you to get off and on catching another bus later. Fall colors are unbelievable and with over 144 crystal clear and sparkling lakes make it a fairyland of unspoiled beauty along with the emerald clear ponds as you see pictured above. The earthquake of 2007closed the area until recently when another road was opened to use by car and bus. You can fly one way and go by car or bus the other. Zharu Valley nearby is opened this coming year which has been kept pristine and only allows a small number of people to visit it each day. The people living there were only found in 1975 and still practice the Old "Ben" religion which is the worship of nature. For more information contact us at interlak@eskimo.com

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About the Author

Dave Bruels, owner/operator of Interlake China Tours, Inc., has traveled China for the past 25 years with over 50 trips to some of the far corners of the country. Dave has lectured in China under the United Nations “Star Program” and worked with government agencies, companies and travel services during his travels in China. Working with guides, travel services, inspecting hotels, seeing some of the various entertainment shows and new sights are just part of his job in providing great tours for his customers. Follow him on twitter at @dbruels